The entire college basketball season has been unpredictable,
but last week 11 of the top 12 teams lost at least once. The Big Ten was in the middle of those upsets
as Indiana and Michigan fell to unranked teams, and Michigan State lost its third
game in a row. It has become impossible
to predict the B1G tournament seeding, even with only a week remaining. One thing is known for sure is that there
will be some tie-breaker needed to determine the top 5 teams. It could be a four way tie for first place, 2
way tie for second, or 3 way tie for third.
1. Indiana
(no change)
The Hoosiers fell at Minnesota on Tuesday night, but I am
keeping Indiana in the top spot because the next three teams couldn’t keep the
up the pressure. Another week has gone
by in the B1G and the Hoosiers still have a 2 game lead in the conference. They can wrap up an outright championship
with a win at home over Ohio State. Indiana
will then travel to Ann Arbor to close the regular season.
2. Michigan
State (no change)
This is tough for me to keep the Spartans in this spot after
losing 3 games in a row, but I am still not sold on Michigan’s comeback and
Wisconsin and Ohio State are just a tier below.
Michigan State couldn’t beat Michigan on the road, even though the
Wolverine’s weren’t even close to playing their most efficient game of the
season. It would be interesting to see
this matchup again on a neutral floor.
The Spartans now need to rebound with a win at home over Wisconsin, and
then finish the season with Northwestern.
It seems likely that Michigan State will finish 13-5 for the 2nd
straight season.
3. Michigan
(no change)
The Wolverines had their worst defensive performance of the
season, and in recent memory, at Penn State, but they managed to bounce back
with a much needed win over Michigan State.
I am interested to see how focused this team is when they head to Purdue
on Wednesday. There was a lot not to
like about both games this week, but at least they picked up another win
against another top 5 conference team. The
Wolverines will likely need two wins this week to avoid falling into the 5th
seed.
4. Ohio
State (up 1)
The Buckeyes still have an outside shot at sharing the
regular season conference crown, but they have a tough upcoming week and will
still need some help from Michigan. Ohio
State plays Indiana tonight in Bloomington.
A win for the Hoosiers would wrap up an outright title, but a win for
the Scarlet and Grey would keep the 4 way tie atop the standings alive. Ohio State will then finish up the season
with Illinois.
5. Wisconsin
(down 1)
The Badgers choked against Purdue at home on Sunday which
allowed me to lower them on the power rankings.
I don’t like Bo Ryan and I don’t respect this year’s Wisconsin
team. They are definitely a team that I want
a rematch with in the conference tournament.
The Badgers close out the season with road games against Michigan State
and Penn State. It will be a battle in
this last week for the 4 and 5 seed as everyone will want to avoid playing on
Thursday in the conference tournament and avoid Indiana’s half of the bracket.
6. Minnesota
(up 1)
The Gophers jump Illinois just because of the nature of
their two wins last week. They punched
Indiana in the mouth and just out-toughed them.
It was a fun game to watch because Zeller looked intimidated by Mbakwe
all game, especially after one of the best blocks you will ever see. Minnesota
then came back and pummeled Penn State over the weekend. It looks like Tubby Smith has his team
playing better basketball, and will be a team nobody wants to play in the B1G
or NCAA tournament.
7. Illinois
(down 1)
Illinois is still trending up, and they are locks for the
NCAA tournament. The Illini have two
more chanced to bolster their resume with games against Iowa and Ohio
State. If they can go 2-0 again,
Illinois could be moving up towards even a 5 seed in the big dance. This year’s conference tournament will be
interesting because the likely 6 and 7 seeds are going to be playing some of
their best basketball, but the top 5 teams will want the opening day bye. No matter how the seeding falls, it looks
like all Friday matchups are going to be very tough.
8. Purdue
(up 1)
The Boilermakers went into Madison and easily beat a
Wisconsin team still playing for a conference championship. The Boilermakers continue to improve. Even though this is not one of Matt Painter’s
most talented teams, it has to be one of his best coaching jobs. The Boilers welcome Michigan at home on
Wednesday and then Minnesota on Saturday, where winning both games could put
them in the 7 seed and avoid playing Indiana for the third time this season.
9. Iowa
(down 1)
The Hawkeyes were without starting point guard Gessel on
Saturday night and it showed. Iowa
turned the ball over close to 30% of their possessions and never got into any
offensive rhythm. Iowa still could win
both games this week, but at this point it looks like they will be playing in
the 8/9 game on Thursday.
10. Nebraska
(no change)
Nebraska is definitely playing better right now, but it doesn’t
really matter because they are so much less talented than the top 9 teams that
the Huskers will struggle to win a conference tournament game.
11. Northwestern
(no change)
Northwestern is trending down, and in a hurry. They get to play Penn State to avoid crashing
to the bottom spot. The Wildcats kept
the game close against Ohio State, but they just couldn’t score enough points
to come out with the win.
12. Penn
State (no change)
Well the Nittany Lions finally won their first conference
game, unfortunately. They are still
playing hard and will probably beat Northwestern this week. They have wrapped up the 12 seed for the
conference tournament, so the Wolverines might get a chance for some payback.
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